RCW: I Still Think You Should Go Jump Between

Posted on Mon Dec 30th, 2024 @ 9:00pm by Green Rider Calarya & Bronze Rider A'ren

Mission: 3531 AL
Location: River Cove Weyr
Timeline: M 2 D21

Calarya woke slowly and was very relieved that she finally felt more like herself as she lay there just enjoying the satisfaction that the green was feeling from leading her admirers on a long flight. Whatever had possessed Leith to wait so long was beyond her but she was relieved it was finally over and she could breathe again.

}: I flew high. They all chased me:{ Leith assured the woman.

*** I remember. Did you have to wait so long?***

}: We rose exactly when we were ready. :{ Leith argued, making Calarya groan. She could have done without arguing with the Weyrleader, upsetting a new wingmate, and several other things that she was embarrassed about.

}:You flew very far and high,:{ The bronze crooned to Leith.

A'ren groaned a bit as he struggled to wake up. He didn't remember much of what had happened yet as he was still half asleep and Zarminath was very content.

**Zar?**

}:I won,:{ The bronze said simply.

Calarya froze as she heard the groan and realized the body pressed against hers was not G’van at all. She closed her eyes tightly hoping whoever it was would not make a scene or was not a weyrling.

**Won?**

The bronze just crooned as he sent his rider an image of the ledge. A'ren's eyes flew open as he recognized his wing second's green. Shard it! How had this happened? Why had this happened?

“Calarya?” He slowly asked.

Calarya winced as she realized exactly who had won instead of G’van. A’ren… why did it have to be him after yesterday? Calarya wished she could have carried on pretending to be asleep but she knew the Weyrleader would just nudge her awake. This was not their first flight together though it had been many turns. “Mmmhmm Weyrleader?” She asked back.

***Zarminath? Really Leith,*** Calarya rolled her eyes at the green’s smugness for a moment.

“Ah morning,?” A'ren said uncertainty. It had been awhile since Zarminath had tried to chase anyone but Kaliath. He didn't know why he chose Leith. Not that he didn't get along with Calarya it was just odd after everything the day before.

Good at least he felt as awkward about this as she did. If she had not told him to go jump between this really would not have been as awkward she decided to herself as she decided to stay where she was with her back to him for a little longer. “Suppose it is still morning.” She murmured sleepily thinking that she had barely had time to grab klah when Leith had decided it was her time to rise now.

A'ren really didn't know the time. One minute he was in his office and the next Zarminath was saying he was chasing. He scrubbed at his face. “Still want me to jump between?” He asked, trying to make a very lame joke.

Calarya relaxed as she heard his very poor joke and slowly rolled on her back to look at him, giving him a little more space even as her back hit the stone wall. “Slightly less than yesterday.” She murmured quietly looking suitably embarrassed by the whole situation.

“Guess that's an improvement,” he agreed. This really shouldn't have been so awkward but it certainly was. “Guessing you're feeling better after the flight.”

It was better than nothing at the moment when she was trying to sort out her emotions. “Mmhmm yes thank you and feeling quite embarrassed that I told the Weyrleader let alone one of my closest friends to go jump between.” She murmured clutching the sheet just a little higher which reminded her of the gash on her palm.

“Not the first time I've been told that,” A'ren assured her. He was pretty sure Lana had told him that a few times. He raised a brow when he saw the mark on her hand and the bandage she still wore. “What did you do?”

“Well, you do have that effect on people.” She said lightly, rolling her eyes sounding much more like herself. She glanced at the bandage and shook her head. “Nothing.” She mumbled. “Can’t we just forget that I acted like a feline in heat and the last 24 candlemarks?” She wondered hopeful that he would for once just agree and let her walk away with some dignity.

He really wasn't surprised she didn't answer about her hand. A'ren considered her words. “Well I guess I could forget it,” he drawled. “But you did tell me to jump between. Not sure I can forget that.”

“And I meant it at the time. You made me angry.” She added sassily knowing he would not forgive her for a while for that. He would get at least 2 sevendays of pleasure about reminding her.

“Hmm think of the poor rider you made cry,” he pointed out. “Had to step in and say something.” Yes he knew she had just been in a mood because of her green but the young rider was terrified now.

Calarya looked away ashamed of herself and nodded. “I will apologise to her and spend time nurturing that relationship.” She said firmly. Leadership under A’ren meant it was okay to admit when you messed up and apologise.

“Hey it happens,” he said. “Why do you think I've been told to jump between?” He commented. He had made the same mistakes but didn't have a proddy green to blame. “I am sure she would appreciate the apology though.Just let her know why you said what you did.”

“Yes sir.” She said without a hint of sarcasm or resentment just genuine frustration at herself and the situation she had gotten into. She would take aside the girl at the next drill and explain everything properly.

The Weyrleader shook his head. “No sir. Especially well, like this,” he said, gesturing to the furs they still had covering them. Sir definitely didn't feel right.

Calarya nodded. “Yes, A’ren.” She repeated her statement so he knew she was fully engaged and listening. She glanced back and him and shrugged. “You are acting like I have never seen you naked before but it sounded like my weyrleader was giving me an order and that is how I respond.” She said raising an eyebrow.

He actually laughed. “True enough.” It had been a while since Zarminath had chased Leith but it certainly wasn't the first time. “It's hard to get out of Weyrleader mode sometimes,” he apologized.

Calarya finally snuggled back down in the sheets stretching a little as all the tension started to leave her body. “Most likely why you have been told to jump between.” The woman teased leaning out to poke his shoulder.

“Hey now!” He laughed, settling back down. He knew Lana and G'van would be okay. “You may just be right though.” He shifted to put an arm behind his head.

“Things better with the weyrwoman now?” She ventured seeing him relaxing now into their normal easy relationship. The previous day was forgotten for the most part.

The bronze rider nodded. “They are. I think we are in a good place now.” It always felt easy talking to Calarya. They had known each other for so long.

“Good I have only just got your office back to normal and the Weyr likes it when you share wine.” She teased wrinkling her nose in his direction as she was getting back to teasing him instead of screaming profanities at him.

“Now my office wasn't that bad,” he countered. “Oh, do they? I'll have to remember that.” It was good to be back on good terms again and able to tease each other.

“The floor said different.” She offered as her final comment on the state of his office that day when she had stopped him drinking. She was relieved to see things seemed to be better for the Weyrleaders. It allowed the Weyr to breathe and do what must be done properly without ever changing weyrleadership.

He wrinkled his nose. That was true. It had been bad and he hadn't meant for Calarya to have to clean it up. “Never again,” he promised. He was pretty sure things were settled again.

Calarya cleaned it up with I’han and Z’ran’s help but she would never tell him that the 2 other bronze riders knew what had happened. “Good because next time I am telling Tula,” The woman assured grinning at him before she sighed softly. “Going to have to go face the Weyr soon.” She admitted.

“Ooh now that is scary,” he laughed. Tula kept everyone in line. He didn't know how she did it sometimes. “Guess we will,” A'ren agreed.

“It is. She used to scare me as my foster mother let alone now as the head woman and me now as a rider.” It was easy to forget that a lot of the riders had once a long time ago been under Tula’s care as children. “A’ren?” She wondered turning on her side after a few long moments of silence.

Tula had certainly kept them all grounded and in line. He didn't know what they would do without her. “Hmm?” He asked, looking over at her.

Calarya leaned up and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips before she climbed over him to start retrieving her clothes. “Thank you for always being my friend.” She said simply.

A'ren was a bit surprised but then smiled. “Always, no matter what,” he assured her. Calarya was one of his best and oldest friends. He laughed as she crawled across him to find her clothes. “Just a bit crazy weren't we?”

“Leith held out for a very long time. I expected it to be a bit crazy. Sorry.” Calarya murmured softly as she stood up to retrieve where her dress was. She shimmered into his with her back to him not at all afraid of her body. They were close enough as wing riders that they had seen each other in states of undressed in first aid against thread fall.

“No reason to be sorry,” he said, sitting up himself. He hadn't expected a green flight to last so long, but he shouldn't have been surprised with Leith as large as she was. “At least our clothes are in one piece,” A'ren laughed, looking around for his pants.

Calarya grabbed up her jacket pocketing her underwear into it with a chuckle. “Would have been great to watch the Weyrleader leave with clothes ripped though. Some of his haughty reputation ruined.” Calarya laughed tossing him items of his clothing before slipping into her sandals.

“Not embarrassing at all,” he laughed, pulling his pants on quickly and slipping into his shirt. “What a pair we make,” A'ren grinned, grabbing his own jacket. “Well, shall we wing second?”

Calarya gave him a mock salute and nodded. This was the best option outside of G’van. No strings, no resentment, just acknowledgement that they were friends again. “Better do Weyrleader. Got drills soon.” She responded by opening the door and stepping out into the cool corridor and could hear nothing but silence.

 

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